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NEWS > CBC building on Grand'Place bought by ProWinko

PROWINKO gets hold of the former CBC headquarters on the Grand Place in Brussels

A rare occurrence, but a building on the celebrated Grand’Place in Brussels has been sold. It is the former CBC Bank building on the south-eastern face of the square, which had been looking for a new taker for some years. CBC moved its headquarters to the Port du Bon Dieu constructed by Atenor in Namur, some years ago.

The building had been earmarked for a hotel to be operated by French company Okko, but this solution did not come to fruition. One of the reasons for this was that despite being arguably one of the least attractive of all the buildings on the Grand’Place, the façade is listed. On top of this, the rear of the building adjoins other historic constructions. Transformation to a hotel was not therefore an easy option.

The building has now been acquired by real estate developer ProWinko, known in Brussels for its ownership of retail buildings including, for example, that housing the Apple Store on the Toison d’Or (alongside the recently opened AS Aventure in the former Marks & Spencer unit).

Commenting on the sale, and as quoted by newspaper L’Echo, CBC Bank Managing Director Jean-Pierre Jansen says: “The agreement which has been reached fully satisfies both parties. And the quality of the real estate projects developed by ProWinko reassures us”. ProWinko has not yet detailed the final destination of the building, but the City of Brussels indicated to L’Echo that it will be keeping a very focused eye on any proposals for the historic heart of Brussels.